Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Review into the use of antidepressants

Platform 51 research shows that 33% of all women have taken antidepressants and more than half were not offered any alternative to drugs at the time of prescription. 24% currently taking antidepressants have been on them for 10 years or more and 24% have not had a review of their treatment for a year or more at some point. Antidepressants have a role to play in treating poor mental health but they are not the whole solution.

We call on the Department of Health to commission a review into the use of antidepressants. It should investigate the rate at which antidepressants are prescribed as the only option for mild to moderate mental health problems, and the frequency at which people taking them have their treatment reviewed.

The review should include health experts, mental health charities, GP representatives and organisations such as Platform 51 who work with thousands of people affected by mental health problems.